Spain,
Saturday, 23 March, 2024
McCreadie Andias
Barcelona president Julian Laporta has announced that the club will not be rushing for big names during the upcoming transfer market.
Financial – woed Barça is currently pending sanctions to raise €180 million in order to persue players in the transfer market and might be forced to sell some of their big names to reach the target.
“We don’t want to sell any big player. If all goes to plan with our goals, we won’t be forced to sell any player”. Laporta said in an interview with MD.
“Of course is someone wants to leave, we won’t stop them; but I’m not worried at all with that, we want to keep same squad”, He added.
Laporta further ruled out that the Catalonia based club would be going after Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.
“We don’t need any big signing. There will be movements but I don’t anticipate big ones, just team players”.
Our priority is to trust the team we have right now, we don’t want to sign players who could distort our harmony”, He said.
The Barça president added that he would love to see Dutch midfielder Frenkie De Jong remain at the club despite interests from Manchester united.
“Frenkie de Jong is super happy here. The last thing he wants is leaving Barcelona”.
“He always told me that he loves to be at Barça and we’re delighted with Frenkie too”.
“I’m not worried with his future, at all”, told MD.
He also told MD that he hopes loan players Manchester City’s Joan Cancelo and Athletico Madrid’s and Joa Felix will extend their current services at the club.
“I think both João Cancelo and João Félix will continue at Barça next season”.
“I hope Atlético won’t create any issue. I don’t think Man City will put any limit to that”.
“For sure it will be an extension of loans with a fixed price”, He said.
Laporta said that the club was indeed struggling but it’s currently gaining back it’s feet and will do everything to keep it’s top player like Araujo despite interests from opponent clubs.
“I’m so confident to keep Ronald Araújo at the club”.
“Bayern bid? Many people think that Barça are in difficult financial situation but it’s getting way better…”, He said.
He expressed his desire to see current manager Xavi Hernández extended his stay at the club despite the former Barça midfielder announcing that he will be leaving at the end of the season.
“I’d really, really, really like Xavi to change his mind and stay as Barça manager”.
“I won’t put pressure on Xavi. It depends on him, he’s aware of my desire for him to stay here. We will see at the end of the season”.
“Whoever wants to come to Barça has to wait until the end of the season as we will wait for Xavi’s final decision”,
“Xavi insists on saying he won’t change his mind and he’s gonna leave in June but… we will see”.”I still hope to keep Xavi next season, but it’s only up to him”, told MD.
However, he ruled out Barça’s interests im managers Hansi Flick or Former manager Luis Enrique who currently manages PSG.
“I like Luis Enrique, he’s very good but we didn’t speak to him or any other coach as we respect Xavi”.
In response to Rivals Real Madrid signing Kylian Mbappe, Laporta described the move as one that would distort the dressing room due to the huge salary he will be receiving.
“I read about the figures that will be there for Kylian Mbappé and Real Madrid, this distorts the locker room. For sure”.
“It won’t be cheap, so… it will be a problem”, told Mundo Deportivo.